Consider that, today, more than 70% of Americans use social media—up from only 5% tallied in 2005, according to the Pew Research Center. A handful of key players in the space continue to rule. Social Media Examiner's "2017 Social Media Marketing Industry Report" revealed that the top platforms used by marketers are Facebook (94%), Twitter (68%), LinkedIn (56%), Instagram (54%), YouTube (45%), Pinterest (30%), and Snapchat (7%). So what's in stor for 2018?

AT&T Acquires T-Mobile

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AT&T agreed to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom for $39 billion of combined cash and stock. According to AT&T, the acquisition provides the network assets necessary to add capacity, and it will offer the carrier an opportunity to improve network quality for customers of both AT&T and T-Mobile. With the acquisition, AT&T plans to significantly expand its 4G network to 95% of the U.S. population, including rural areas.

While the boards of both companies have already approved the deal, regulatory approval of the acquisition is still pending. Deutsche Telekom will have an 8% stake in AT&T, and a representative from the company will be on AT&T's board of directors. The transaction, which is expected to close in about a year, will make AT&T the largest cell phone carrier, larger than both Sprint and Verizon.